Pneumatic device for player-pianos.



OQM. KENNEDY.

PNEUMATIC DEVICE FOR PLAYER PIANOS. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 4, 1916.

1,233,367. Patented July 17, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

02129 M fiimedy 0. M. KENNEDY.

PNEUMATIC DEVICE FOR PLAYER PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 4, 19KB.

Patented July 17,1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- EMMA Woe,

027's M. ffcmafy 0. M. KENNEDY.

PNEUMATlC DEVICE FOR PLAYER PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED 001.4. 1916.

1,233,367. zeatelitea July 17, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTIS M. KENNEDY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE CUNNING- PENNSYLVANIA.

PNEUMATIC DEVICE FOR PLAYER-PIANOS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 17, 1917.

Application filed October 4, 1916. Serial No. 123,710.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, OTIS M. KENNEDY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and the State of Pennsylvania, have invent ed new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Devices for Player-Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic devices to enable a tuner to regu late player fingers of a player piano.

It is well known in the art of player pianos that in setting up the instrument it is quite essential that the movement of the player fingers be individually regulated to produce the necessary movement of the hammers with reference to the strings. It has heretofore been customary to remove the player mechanism and insert a hooked tool between each of the striker fingers, and pull same up against the regulating rail, and then manipulate the adjacent screw until the desired adjustment was made. This means of regulating and adjusting involves a great amount of time, and is extremely tedious as but one finger at a time can be raised, and its corresponding regulating screw adjusted.

According to my invention I provide a pneumatic device which is engaged over the mechanism when the player mechanism is removed, and by depressing the keys a number of player fingers are pneumatically operated, which causes them to engage with the regulating rail where they are held while the tuner carefully adjusts the respective screws, which limits the subsequent movement of the player fingers and the hammers operated thereby.

The device is so constructed and arranged that it fits on player pianos now in use, and readily permits of the adjustment of the player fingers, and enables a tuner to accurately regulate the movement of the fingers while same are held elevated by the same pneumatic arrangement employed when the instrument is completed and in use.

When the device is in use, the tuner depresses as many keys as he finds convenient, which in turn raises a corresponding number of player fingers, and while in this position they are lined up and their positions adjusted by th regulating screws, each of course being adjusted according to the special conditions surrounding the player finger and the hammer it operates.

Primarily the object of my invention is to provide a detachable device operable in connection with a player piano for pneumatically operating the player fingers to permit of their movement being adjusted and regulated with reference to the hammers.

In addition to the foregoing, my invention comprehends improvements in the details of construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification- Figure 1 is a vertical central section of a portion of a player piano with the player mechanism removed and my improved pneumatic regulating device applied.

Fig. 2 is a detail plan view of a portion of my regulator device.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective section of a portion of the regulator device.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section of the device applied.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of another form of player piano and player finger regulating device used in connection therewith.

Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of the pneumatic regulating device shown in Fig. 4..

In the drawings, the same numerals refer to like parts in all the figures. 1 indicates a player piano case, in which the usual piano action 2 is inclosed. Cooperating with the piano action 2, are the usual pneumatics 3, mounted on a chest 4, provided with channels 5 and 6, for the passage of the air. Operating in connection with the channels or ports 6, are the ordinary diaphragms 7 for opening the valves 8. Attached to the pneumatics 3, are lugs 9, which engage a rod 10, attached at its upper end to a tracker board and roll operating finger 11, the latter being pivoted at 11 he upper end of the player finger is designed to engage with a pivoted finger 12, of the piano action, and its movement is limited by a screw 13, in a rail 14.

All the parts thus far described are old in the art and form no part of the present invention, and are described in a general way only for the purpose of illustrating the application of my invention.

It is to be understood that when the parts of the complete piano are assembled, the player control mechanism is mounted on top of the chest 4, the ports and channels registering to properly train the air from the tracker bar. My device is substituted for the player mechanism as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1. The device comprises a bar 15, formed with an elongated transverse vacuum chamber 16. Extending vertically through the bar, forward of the vacuum chamber, are openings 17 one for each key of the piano. These openings extend entirely through the bar and at their lower ends they are provided with depending nipples 18. A bleed duct 19, connects each opening 17, with the vacuum chamber 16, as shown in Fig. 3.

On brackets 19 secured to the front portion of the bar 15, are keys 20, one for each opening 17, and provided on their under rear ends with dampeners 21, which cover the openings 17, when the keys are in their normal positions, each key being provided with a spring 22, to normally hold the dampener over the opening 17.

23, indicates an exhaust pipe which connects the vacuum chamber 16, with one of the channels or ports 5, whereby to operate the valves 8, and the pneumatics 3, as will be explained later on.

The pneumatic regulating device is attached to the chest 4, by clamps 24, each of which comprises a vertical member 25, two horizontal members 26, and set screws 27. The upper horizontal member of the clamps engage over clamp plates 29, on the upper side of the bar 15, while the lower horizontal members take under the bar 4, as shown in Fig. 1.

The form of the invention described is particularly adapted for player pianos employing rubber tubing to make the connections, and in use the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 1. While, as stated this form of disclosure is adapted for a piano em ploying rubber tubing, it is to be understood it is not necessarily limited to this use. The vacuum is made in the ordinary manner by a pedal or other means not thought necessary to illustrate. The tuner depresses a key 20, which uncovers one of the openings 17, and the air rushes in, passes down channel 6, and inflates the diaphragm 7. The inflation of the diaphragm 7, moves the 'double valve 8, which opens the port be tween the main vacuum chamber 30, and the duct 5, and at the same time closes the connection between the duct 5, and the atmosphere through the port 31. The duct 5 which connects the pneumatic 3 is now un der exhaust tension from the main exhaust chamber 30. The air from the pneumatic 3, now passes through the duct 5, to the chamber 30 and the atmospheric pressure of the outside air collapses the pneumatic 3, the rod 10, operates the piano action. lVhile the player finger is held in this posi tion by the action of the pneumatics, the screw or stop 13 is turned to engage with said finger to regulate its position to accurately and properly act on the hammer when the instrument is in use. Immediately proper adjustment has been made, pressure on the key is released, and the pneumatics open, resulting in the player finger and hammer assuming normal position.

I have described the movement of but one key, but in actual practice the tuner will depress a series of keys at once, and adjust all the screws associated with the Operated player fingers, and line them up, which has been found to be quicker and more accurate as the adjustment is made under the same pressure and same circumstances as when the player piano is producing music.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the device is constructed to be applied to a player piano wherein metal tubes are employed to make the connections.

In these figures 30 indicates the pneumatics, each carrying the usual valves and each communicating with a vacuum chamber 31, and from each chamber leads a pipe 32. The vacuum chambers 31, communicate by means of end sections 31 the air passing through the lower end of the sections at 31". To each pneumatic is attached a stem which in turn is connected to a rod 33, for operating a player finger 34. This construction is similar to this portion of player pianos now in use, and forms no part of my present invention. The pipes 32, when the instrument is assembled, communicate with the player mechanism, which, when my device is in use, is removed.

The upper end of each pipe 32, is provided with a flange 35, which is slotted at 36, and pins (not shown) on the player mechanism extend therethrough.

My improved device as applied to this form of player piano, is similar to that previously described, except that the air chan nels or ducts are changed somewhat, and the fastening means are altered. This device comprises a bar 37, formed with a vacuum chamber 38, in advance of which are openings 39, which extend through the top of the block, and through the front face, where they communicate with the metal pipes 32. From each opening 39, extends a bleed duct 40, said ducts leading into and communicating with the vacuum chamber 38.

41, indicates a series of guide pins which extend from the front ace of the bar .37.

, nuts 44, to clamp the bar on the bar.

42, indicates a clamp bar provided with a series of holes in which the ends of the pins Q1. The clamp bar engages over the flanges 35, on the pipes 32, and at its ends it is provided with openings 4%, through which pass screws 43, extending from the bar 37. Engaging the screws are binding As the nuts are tightened the bar clamps the flanges of the pipes 32, to form air tight joints around the openings 39, there being a thin packing strip 45 interposed between the flanges and the block.

Pivoted at Q6, 011 brackets 011 the block are keys 47, to control the openings 39, in exactly the same manner described in connection with the preferred form of the invention.

A tube 48, is connected with the vacuum chamber 38, and one of the chambers 31, to permit of the passage of the air in the operation of the piano.

Of course it will be understood that in the form of player piano on which the modified structure is shown, each pneumatic carries its own valves, conventionally shown in Fig. 4.

lVhen the keys i7 are operated, the air enters the openings 39, and through the bleed openings 40, the partial vacuum in the vacuum chamber 38, acts through the pipes 39, and the pneumatics are collapsed, with the result that the rod 33 is elevated in exactly the same manner heretofore explained.

The great advantage in the construction just described resides in the fact that the clamp bar and flanges on the pipes 32, are used to secure my improvement in position, and when removed and the player mechanism is substituted, this too can be clamped in position by the same means. This construction and arrangement dispenses with the use of individual nuts for the pins in clamping the attachment in place, or similarly it dispenses with the use of a series of nuts for the threaded pin when using the player mechanism. In other words, I have, by this construction, provided clamping means which can be used for dual mechanisms, and one which will greatly facilitate the attaching and detaching of the respective mechanisms.

From the foregoing description it is evident I have provided a simple and inexpensive means for setting and regulating the player fingers of player pianos, and one which can be quickly attached and detached. It is also evident that by use of my device, the player fingers can be set more accurately and with a greater degree of nicety than when lifting each finger separately to bring it up against its stop. When the fingers are regulated with my device, they are brought up against the regulating screws in precisely the same manner and by precisely the same force as when the instrument is playing, with the result that far better and quicker adjustment is obtained than heretofore.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A device of the class described, oomprising a bar provided with a vacuum chamber, a tube communicating therewith, a plu- 'rality of openings being formed in the bar and connected with the vacuum chamber by a plurality of bleed ducts, a plurality of vkeys for controlling the openings, and means for attaching the device to a player piano.

2. The combination of player piano mechanism including the piano action, pneumatic player fingers operated by the pneumatics, a plurality of regulating screws adjacent the player fingers to limit the movement of the latter, and a detachable device including a plurality of keys and connections with the Pneumatics for causing the latter to be operated when the keys are depressed to lift the player fingers toward the screws, whereby by adjusting the latter the movement of the player fingers and the piano action may be adjusted. 3. A device of the class described comprising a bar formed with a transverse vacuum chamber and a plurality of verti cally disposed openings each of which is connected to the vacuum chamber by a bleed duct, a nipple extending over each opening to register with corresponding openings in a part of a player piano, a key for controlling each opening, a spring for holding each key over its opening to close same, and attaching means for securing the device in position.

4. A device of the class described, comprising a bar formed with a transverse vacuum chamber and a plurality of vertically disposed openings, each of which is connected to the vacuum chamber by a bleed duct, a nipple extending over each opening to register with corresponding openings in apart of a player piano, a key for controlling each opening, a spring for holdmg each key over its opening to close same, clamps having arms which engage over the device and under a fixed part of the player piano, and means for tightening the clamps.

5. A device of the class described, comprising a bar provided with a vacuum chamber, a tube communicating therewith, a plurality of openings being formed in the bar and connected with the vacuum chamber by a plurality of bleed ducts, a plurality of keys for controlling the openings, clamps provided with flanges which engage over the device and under a part of the player piano, and means for tightening the clamps.

6. The combination of a pneumatic player including the ordinary playing keys, action and stops to limit movement of same, air

chest formed with ducts and ports communicating therewith, detachable means for pneumatically operating the action, saidi means being located on the chest above the ordinary playing keys and including a vacuum chamber and ducts leading therefrom and communicating with the ports in the chest and the atmosphere, and keys pivoted to the chest and fitting over the ports leading to the atmosphere, whereby the fingers of the action may be operated by actuating the last mentioned keys to bring same into contact with the stops.

7. The combination of a pneumatic player piano including the piano action, pneumatics, a bar havin air passages through which air passes to operate the pneuinatics, player fingers operated by the neumatics, a rail, regulating screws mounted in the rail adjacent the player fingers, and a device comprising a bar having a vacuum chamber in communication with one of the air passages, said bar having a plurality of openings corresponding approximately to the number of keys of the player piano, said openings communicating with certain of the air passages, and a plurality of keys for controlling the openings, whereby when said keys are operated to uncover the openings the pneumatics will operate the player fingers in the direction of the regulating screws and hold same thereto while same are being adjusted to regulate subsequent movement. 8. A device of the class described, comprisplurality of openings connected with said vacuum chamber by a plurality of bleed ducts, a plurality of keys for controlling the openings, a plurality of pins extending from the bar, a clamp extending across the bar and engaging the pins, and means at mg a bar having a vacuum chamber and a opposite ends of the bar for securing the device in operative position.

'9. The combination of a pneumatic player piano including a series of pneumatics, a series of player fingers operated by pneu- Inatics, a pipe extending from each pneumatic, each pipe having a flange formed with a pin opening, and a device to regulate the movement of the player fingers comprising a bar having a vacuum chamber and a plurality of openings connected to the vacuum chamber by bleed ducts,- the pipes registering with the openings in the bar, the pipes communicating with the openings, a plurality of pins extending from the bar and extending through the pin openings, a bar fitting over the flanges and the pins, clamping devices for securing the bar in position, and a pipe connecting the vacuum chamber with the pneumatics.

10. The combination of a pneumatic player piano including a plurality of pneumatics, a plurality of player fingers operated by the pneumatics, a pipe extending from each pneumatic, the upper end of each pipe having a flange, a bar having a series of openings with which the pipes communicate, said bar having a vacuum chamber communicating with the openings by bleed ducts, keys for controlling the openings, a clamp bar engaging the flanges, means for securing the clamp bar in position, and a pipe connecting the vacuum chamber and the pneumatics.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification in the pres ence of two witnesses:

OTIS M. KENNEDY. Witnesses5 HARRY V. J. LOGAN, HENRY J. MAssEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

